Every day is different but this is what a carer might expect during a 'regular' day's caring
7- 11 am breakfast calls
Depending on the area carers can make up to six morning calls, beginning with the early risers who need their carer there to help them get out of bed.
Carers will help their service users get up, washed, showered or bathed and dressed. Most will have a cup of tea or coffee or a light breakfast made for them and many will also need to be reminded to take their medication, which is often time critical.
Depending on the length of the visit or the needs of the individual, the carer may help change any continence aids, empty commodes and/or change or make the bed as well as other light domestic duties such as laundry or washing-up.
If the service user only has one call or doesn't have another call until later in the day the carer might leave a snack or a jug of water and ensure that everything is left safe and in reach for the day.
Some service users go to day centres and the carer will help get them ready to go out and ensure the transport arrives to pick them up.
If any lifting with a hoist is required then two carers are scheduled to visit.
11am - 2pm lunch calls
For service user who need multiple visits to ensure they eat and drink enough, take their medication, or who need help getting around, the second calls of the day begin around 11am. Some service users will be served a light lunch, there's not usually time to cook anything elaborate so meals are delivered by Meals on Wheels or one of the specialist food delivery companies. Carers can prepare snacks or heat up food made by relatives or micro-wave meals from the fridge or freezer.
Carers may also undertake light domestic chores such as cleaning and tidying, or shopping.
3pm - 6pm tea time
Some service users need four calls a day, especially if they are unable to get around on their own and don't have friends and family who can go in and support them. Some people like to have something to eat around this time - if they've had a good lunch this might just be a light snack, such as something on toast, or a bowl of soup or a sandwich. Many of our service users require medication at regular intervals throughout the day and need to be reminded or assisted in taking it.
Some care plans schedule in a bath once or twice a week for people who can't manage to get in and out on their own. As breakfast and evening calls tend to have a lot to cover baths are often given during this quieter middle of the day period.
7pm - 9.30pm evening/bed-time calls
Carers usually try and finish their shifts by around 9.30 although they may have to help a service user go to bed who prefers to stay up later but, except in an emergency, calls should be completed by 10pm.
Late calls are usually the reverse of the breakfast shift the carer might prepare some supper or make a hot drink and leave the person ready for bed with everything they need for a comfortable, secure night’s sleep, sometimes carers need to help people attach night bags, catheters or incontinence pads.
There’s no such thing as a typical service user or a typical carer's day because every person we care for is individual and is treated as an individual. Caring is never routine, never dull and always rewarding.
Marie's story
My name is Marie and I started with Northants Careforce in June 2007. I was very nervous to start with, I didn’t know anything about caring or looking after clients, as I had no previous experience.
On initial induction there was a lot of information for me to learn, but my fellow colleagues and I worked together and helped each other. The training made more sense once I was in the community putting it into practice. I also had help and support from colleagues that had experience during my shadowing.
I also learnt a lot when going out on double up calls.
Originally i wasn’t sure whether I would like the job at first, but the more I went to see my clients the more I liked my job and the more confident I became. I found it nice getting to know my clients and wish now I had chosen to do this work a long time ago.
I have now passed my NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care, which I’m very pleased about. I got a lot of support when required from my assessor and from Pam the Careforce trainer.
If anyone is at all nervous or feels without experience they wouldn’t be able to do this job, I am living proof that anything is possible and with support you can achieve anything you want to.